What is an API?

API is an acronym for Application Programming Interface. An API is a piece of coding built into the software that allows other third-party applications to communicate and send or receive data to the software.

Why are API’s important to my business?

API’s are used to integrate a variety of different applications. In our industry, it’s not uncommon to see Payment Gateway or Merchant Account integrations through APIs. Unless you’re doing your own shipping and logistics, you’re going to need API’s to connect with your shipping provider. Maybe you want to add a lead generation or contact management system. Whether you want to do it now, or down the road, you’re going to need to make sure that your MLM software has the API’s in place, or has the ability to add them so that these systems will be able to communicate.

We’ve heard horror stories over the years from clients that started with MLM Software thinking they had these API’s in it, only to find out 6 months down the road that it didn’t and couldn’t integrate with the tools to help them grow. Many of these companies ended up stagnant and failed as a result.

When you look for your company’s MLM Software, one of the questions you need to be asking is “Do they have the API’s we need?” Because the worst position you can be in is to have massive momentum behind you, only to find out that you need to stop and shut down your company while you switch over your MLM Software.

If you have any questions about APIs, give me a call or shoot me an email.